TACTICAL

SITUATION 4

Positioning and Defensive Movements of

the Midfielders
The content in this section is from analysis of Diego Simeone's Atlético Madrid teams
during the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 seasons.
The analysis is based on recurring patterns of play observed within the Atlético Madrid team. Once
the same phase of play occurred several times (at least 10), the tactics would be seen as a pattern. The
analysis on the following pages are examples of the team’s tactics being used effectively.

Each action, pass, individual movement with or without the ball, and the positioning of each player
on the pitch including their body shape, are presented.

The analysis is then used to create a practice to coach this specific tactical situation.

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Tactical Situation 4 - Positioning and Defensive Movements of the Midfielders

SHAPE, DISTANCE AND DEFENSIVE COHESION OF

THE MIDFIELD LINE (BALL IN CENTRE)
1a. Shape and Cohesion of the Midfield Line to Make Sure Passing
Lanes are Kept Narrow

The midfielders shift collectively, according to
the position of the ball.
When shifting, their aim is to defend the space
and prevent any through passes towards players
positioned within the space between the
midfield and defensive line.
Normally, when the opposing defender is
15 yards away, the distance between each
midfielder is approximately 10 yards.
The distance can vary because it is strongly
related to the distance from the player in
possession.

By blocking through passes, the midfielders are

able to protect the Crucial Central Area, which
is one of the basic aims of Atlético's defensive
phase. They retain a compact formation with
short distances between each other.

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Tactical Situation 4 - Positioning and Defensive Movements of the Midfielders

1b. Retain a Safety Distance from the Ball Carrier, React, Shift and
Block Attempted Through Passes
Keeping a safety
distance from the player
in possession means
retaining a distance
which enables the
midfielders to react, shift
and block any potential
pass played in between
them. Specific attention
must be given to the
position of the deepest
central midfielder on
the weak side Saúl (8),
who can control the
space between the lines
and be closer to the
defensive line in case he
needs to support them.

2. Reducing the Distance Between Players in the Midfield Line when

the Ball Carrier is Closer (Compactness)
If the distance between
the midfielders and the
player in possession
is shorter than in the
previous example,
the midfielders keep
a shorter distance
between each other.
They must still able to
block through passes,
otherwise they will no
longer be at a safety
distance.

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Tactical Situation 4 - Positioning and Defensive Movements of the Midfielders

DEFENSIVE REACTIONS OF THE MIDFIELD LINE

WHEN THE CENTRE BACK DRIBBLES FORWARD
a. Midfield Line Drop Back to Retain a Safety Distance and Become
More Compact to Prevent Through Passes
When a centre back
moves forward with
the ball, the distance
between him and the
midfielders get shorter.
This means that the
possibility of playing a
successful through pass
is increased.
To deal with this
situation, the Atlético
midfielders drop back to
retain a safety distance
and converge to become
more compact and
counter the reduced
distance.

b. Midfielders Create an Effective Defensive Triangle

As soon as they get
compact enough
horizontally, the closest
midfielder to the ball
carrier, which is central
midfielder Gabi (14)
in this example, moves
to press him, while an
effective defensive
triangle is created.
This defensive reaction
narrows the through
passing lanes and the
ball is forced towards the
side-line.

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©SOCCERTUTOR.COM DIEGO SIMEONE'S DEFENDING TACTICS
PRACTICE FOR
"POSITIONING
AND DEFENSIVE
MOVEMENTS OF THE
MIDFIELDERS"

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Tactical Situation 4 - Positioning and Defensive Movements of the Midfielders

PRACTICE FOR THIS TACTICAL SITUATION

Compact Midfield Line Blocking Through Passes in a
Functional Game
Scenario A: Shift to Ball Position, Retain Safety Distance & Block Passes

Description (Scenario A) y Please see pages 46 and 47 for the correct

y We have a 4v4 situation inside the main area, defensive reactions.
with 4 red midfielders against 2 white centre y As soon as the reds win the ball, they launch
backs and 2 white full backs. a very quick direct counter attack, trying to
y The white defenders pass the ball to each score in either mini goal within a set amount
other in set positions and try to play a through of time.
pass to a white forward inside the yellow area.
y The red midfielders shift according to the
position of the ball, try to retain a safety
distance at all times and block any potential
through passes.

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Tactical Situation 4 - Positioning and Defensive Movements of the Midfielders

Scenario B: Retain Safety Distance as the Centre Back Dribbles Forward

Description (Scenario B) Coaching Points

y In this second scenario, the white defenders 1. Retain a safety distance at all times.
can now move forward or backwards with 2. Use the correct angles and body shape to
the ball and their distance from the red block through passes.
midfielders can vary.
3. Launch a quick counter attack as soon as the
y The aim for the white team stays the same: ball is won.
Play a through pass to a forward inside the
yellow area.
y The red midfielders adapt to the new situation
by moving backwards or forward, making
sure a safety distance is always retained and
through passes are blocked.
y Please see pages 48 and 49 for the correct
defensive reactions, including creating a
defensive triangle and what to do when the
ball is played out wide to a full back.

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©SOCCERTUTOR.COM DIEGO SIMEONE'S DEFENDING TACTICS
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